In the New Testament, widows flourish in their ministry as they draw close to Christ and to Christ’s people. They are free to follow the Crucified One ... Concerning widows in the early Church ... some of them constituted the first form of c … [Read more...]
What Evangelicals Can Learn From Catholics
The biggest thing that Evangelicals can learn from Catholics is how to worship ... liturgy, when celebrated reverently, can also give worshipers a connection to the sacred that is just not available through the type of worship service ... … [Read more...]
Doctrinal Homily Outlines for the Year of Faith
...the Scriptures are not a systematic presentation of the faith. Nevertheless, the doctrines of the faith are contained in Sacred Scripture, so the Lectionary readings can be the basis for preaching about doctrine. Pope Benedict XVI h … [Read more...]
Are doctrine and morals too controversial?
January 2013 Editorial
What happens to a parish, and to its parishioners, when the pastor refuses to preach Catholic doctrine and morals on the grounds that they are now “too controversial”? Cardinal Francis George and Cardinal Timothy Dolan are well known fo … [Read more...]
Obstacles to Reading Scripture in Modernity: Von Balthasar’s Response
Hans Urs von Balthasar’s theological aesthetics {are} a remedy for the breakdown in modern biblical exegesis and the groundwork of an approach to revelation that allows the glory of God to show forth in all of its splendor. In the first b … [Read more...]
Pope Benedict XVI and the Word of God: Distinct Themes of Verbum Domini
Verbum Domini was Pope Benedict's response to the Synod of Bishops' discussion on: “The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church." That a world-class biblical theologian sits on the chair of Peter as Pope is an extraordinary e … [Read more...]
Scripture Is a Unique Word
This Word of God continues the creativity of our Creator. There is a tendency to reflect on Scripture as if it is “just” another word in the marketplace: one word among many, competing, like each one does, for our limited attention; but I … [Read more...]
Pope Benedict XVI: Theologian of the Bible
The Pastores Dabo Vobis Award in Honor of Fr. Kenneth Baker, S.J. (learn more)
The twentieth century was a tumultuous time in the Catholic Church for all concerned with the interpretation of the Bible. For the past few decades, this topic has been a principal concern of one prominent theologian. His interest in the … [Read more...]
Scripture breathes the Holy Spirit
Editorial, June/July 2011
Recently I read a little book on the mystery of God’s word by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M.Cap. (Jesus Began to Preach, Liturgical Press, 2010). The author is the well-known theologian and preacher to the papal household. He has held th … [Read more...]
In defense of dogma
Editorial, May 2010
I want to raise my voice in defense of dogma. Since the Vatican Council dogma has been neglected, downplayed and even reviled by some theologians. This has been the result of the emphasis on Holy Scripture, because the Council urged … [Read more...]
The meaning of sacrament
Editorial, April 2010
In October 2008 I covered the Roman Synod of Bishops for HPR. My report and summary of the synod appeared in the February 2009 issue. At a special press conference during the synod it was announced that the German publishing company, … [Read more...]
St. Paul’s Gospel
Editorial, November 2009
On June 29 we concluded the year in honor of St. Paul, the Apostle of the Gentiles and author of half of the books in the New Testament. Earlier this year, having noticed that Pope Benedict XVI was preaching regularly on St. Paul, I decided … [Read more...]
The paradox of Christian freedom
Editorial, October 2009
“For freedom Christ has set us free” (Gal. 5:1). St. Paul tells us that faith in Christ makes us free. In the contemporary world there is a universal demand for more freedom—personal, political and economic. Freedom, however, is a slogan wor … [Read more...]
Ephesians 5: Bridegroom and Bride
By submitting herself to her husband, the wife is allowing her man to sacrifice himself for her.
It is Mass on the Twenty-first Sunday of Ordinary Time, in late summer only a few years ago. Fortunately the air conditioning seems to be holding up, for this year at least. The celebrant offers the Opening Prayer, asking the Father for … [Read more...]
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